Item #EU19813
(Orden Karađorđeve zvezde). Instituted in 1904. In silver gilt with red, white, blue and green enamels, unmarked but known to have been manufactured by M. Delande of Paris, circa 1916, measuring 40.3 mm (w) x 62.5 mm (h) inclusive of its crown and laterally-pierced ball suspension, crazing and chipping evident in the blue enamels on the centrepiece ring on the reverse, scattered spotting on the white enamelled arms, original peacetime triangular ribbon with hook and eye, better than very fine.
Footnote: The Order of the Star of Karageorge was established in 1904 by King Peter I, for outstanding civil or military merit, initially awarded exclusively to Serbian citizens in return for services rendered to the Serbian monarchy, the Serb people and the Serbian state, though it is now bestowed upon Serbs and non-Serbs alike. During the Balkan Wars and the First World War, the Order was mostly awarded for acts of bravery on the battlefield. The post-war Kingdom of Yugoslavia retained the Order, and it was awarded by the Yugoslav government-in-exile until the end of the Second World War, in some cases to individuals who collaborated with the Axis powers. Following the war, the monarchy was outlawed and a communist government came to power. Along with other monarchist symbols, the Order was suppressed during the administration of Josip Broz Tito, and replaced with communist decorations such as the Order of the People's Hero.